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"Give me the grace, Lord," I whispered, "to go through whatever you've planned, and know that it is for my good."

The rector cleared his throat to bring silence, then asked, "Does anyone wish to speak in defense of the accused?"

Surveying the people in the room, I saw many whom I had grown to love and respect over the two years I had worked in the university. Several had come secretly to my house at night, asking questions about the Bible and the concept of a personal relationship with God. Our conversations had been many and intimate, but their avoidance of my eyes told me they would not, could not, speak in my defense.

Although they knew I would never do anything to publicly disparage their beliefs, they could not associate themselves with me now for fear of losing their careers and even their lives. As much as I could, I offered each one a weak smile, acknowledging our friendship and releasing them from any pressure to speak on my behalf.

With sinister glee, the accusing dean suggested that the hearing continue without further delay.

The rector looked forlorn. He was a kindhearted man and I knew the proceeding was not of his doing.

"Well then, if no one wishes to speak, I … "

"May I be permitted to say something?"

An audible gasp escaped from several in the room and the rector was quick to yield the floor to the man who had made the request. I recognized the speaker as the newly appointed dean of the teacher training division of the university. He hadn't the tenure to assume the position of dean, but the death of the former dean in an automobile accident the week prior to the hearing brought about his sudden promotion and presence in the room.

"As most of you know, I have just completed my Ph.D. from a university in the United States and am now a dean." The man spoke with perfect English when announcing his laudable accomplishment, in an effort I surmised, to establish his right to refute the accusing dean. The florid cheeks of the other proved he had been effective.

"When I arrived in the United States as a new student, I was accompanied by my wife and daughter. As you can guess, I was terrified and my English was not very good. I was afraid to ask anyone a question, so my family and I simply sat in our student housing, convinced I would not pass the program and would return here a failure."

A visible shudder passed through the room as all those in the room imagined the humiliation of receiving the rare opportunity to study abroad and then not succeeding.

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